Author Topic: Northern California Gathering III - report (Read 1376 times)

hieronymous · « **on:** June 28, 2009, 08:48:49 AM »

I'm starting a new thread to report on the Northern Cal. Gathering we had yesterday - please post your pictures and stories here!

My shots of the instruments didn't come out too well, so I'll start off with a pic of the idyllic sight that greeted us at the site...

Go nuts people!

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2009, 09:47:53 AM »

Wow, doesn't the back of my Highlander look great! lol. Well folks, I didn't take any pics, but I had a GREAT time. Unfortunately we had quite a rash of last minute cancellations. We did have an out-of-towner though, as Dr. Jonathan brought Stubby (9/08 COTM) from Chicago. For the first couple of hours we had one bass (Ken, TEO) and several guitars - very unusual at things Alembic! Several more basses did arrive on scene and lots of jamming continued through the afternoon. Ken, TEO's whole band eventually showed up, complete with Marshall stacks, keyboard, you name it. We took turns jamming and listening to Ken's band perform. Really loved his brother's Alembic Flying V and Les Pauls! wait ... what's that ... Oh, they were Gibsons, not Alembics? Heck, that's o.k., after all one of the Paul's was a '55, an instrument that would be welcome anywhere musician's congregate! And we got to hear a great rendition of Barracuda played on the actual Barracuda Bass! One sad note for me: my friend Matt to whom I sold my Electrum (and who is not a member of this forum) showed up in the early afternoon and asked me if that great guy from Belgium came back this year. I had to give him the sad news about brother Paul, the bad one. Anyway, as the day progressed it got pretty hot, and the weather was quite warm too! hehehehe. I'm sure someone will be along soon with some pics, and I sure hope someone recorded the music. Thanks to all who attended and special thanks to Mica, Bill, Erik, and Ron who brought down several instruments and some great goodies for everyone.

Bill, tgo

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2009, 12:20:45 PM »

What a fun day! Yes, the temperature was high, but it was cool to have everyone get together again. I didn't take as many images as I have in the past, which is a relief to those attending with basses and guitars since I spent a good amount of time supervising Erik. He simply must inspect everything with strings:

One time he made a dash for Stubby, but grandpa intervened. Jonathan and Stubby:

Bill and Woody:

Matt with the Stage Tribute and Dan playing Sam's bass:

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2009, 12:33:11 PM »

Sam plays a mean bass:

Our host, Will:

MPG rockin' the house, with Jonathan joining in:

Dave showing everyone how it's done:

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2009, 12:46:02 PM »

Even Erik joined in for one of the jams:

Coupla more jams:

Ron discussing electronics:

Group instrument photo:

Another jam ensued before a group human photo could be assembled. Finally, the move-out:

All in all, a super day. We missed those who couldn't attend, hope you can make it to the next one.

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2009, 08:24:53 PM »

I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to attend - something came up for the morning, this has been a busy month, but I knew I had to go! I didn't take my amp this year, but did manage to somehow drag the doubleneck out. I had my Stanley Clarke 5-string updated to Anniversary electronics about a month ago and Mica was nice enough to deliver it to the gathering for me. I'm really glad I went - one of the highlights was seeing Erik with the doubleneck - he had been strumming the necks of some of the instruments, but when he got to the doubleneck, he used both hands simultaneously!

Apparently, the logo at the base of the body was a point of interest as well - can't say I blame him, it's one of my favorite features too!

I really enjoyed getting to see old friends and getting to meet new ones as well. Plus, I got to play some METAL with MPG - not a genre I get to jam on usually but I cut my teeth on Sabbath, Priest, etc., including UFO, so it was a special thrill to get to play with them on "Lights Out." Another great aspect for me was to get to hear different combinations, like both Sam and Dave playing with both drummers (at different times, unfortunately - remind me to bring my amp next time so we have two bassists playing at once!). I also got to play the Triumph Stage guitar - haven't played guitar in a few years, but that thing was like butter! The vintage Fender amp Bill provided didn't hurt either! If I try to thank everybody, I'll leave someone out, so for now I will just thank Bill and Will for making the location possible again this year and Ken for making the SVT available!

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2009, 04:29:56 AM »

Looks Like you all had a Good one!!!

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2009, 07:05:46 AM »

It's got to be good... with Erik there to QC all the instruments, along with Mom, Dad and Grandpa.

Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2009, 03:43:23 PM »

A Triumph Stage guitar?

Love the picture of Erik pointing to the logo!

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2009, 05:40:59 PM »

I think Harry meant a Tribute Stage guitar. You bass players!!!!

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2009, 05:45:55 PM »

The California Gathering was great. Looked like I might not be making it as my flight took off over five hours late after rumors of a cancellation. So I arrived at the hotel at about 3:00 am, which was 5 am my time. After a couple hours sleep, Bill picked me up and we were well on our way. As he put it, it was very hard to believe how such a short drive from Oakland put us in the middle of the most idyllic country setting. Plus, if you've never seen the view of the entire Bay Area from Bill's back porch, you're really missing something spectacular.

The musical spectrum was quite interesting - everything from UFO and Judas Priest to Neil Young and the Dead. All in all, a good time. Wish I could've stayed long enough to visit the Mothership - although Ron extended a very generous offer to open things up for me that evening. But it had been a long day and I was beyond exhausted. Plus, I'm hoping to get back in the fall.

Basically, these Gatherings are a wonderful thing. I hope they continue indefinitely. Looking forward to seeing you guys at the next Chicago one and hopefully more at next year's California jam.

Later...

Jonathan

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2009, 07:07:50 PM »

Jonathan, thanks for the report on the California group! Your description makes me feel like I was there. And I'm glad you enjoyed it, despite having only two hours sleep!!

hieronymous · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2009, 07:39:11 PM »

A Triumph Stage guitar?

Oops! (^~^;) Yup, I meant the Stage Tribute! It's been a long month...

elwoodblue · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2009, 08:34:03 PM »

I'd love to see a close up of an Alembic Vee...I didn't realize they had done one of those ( is there more than one?)

Did anyone record some of the jams?

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2009, 08:35:15 PM »

Hee hee!!
I was going to ask if you played Hold On To Your Dreams, but thought better of it.